Crawler Innovations Yeti XL's

[Nova's Ark]

I thought I has already posted a build thread, but after searching for it, it was apparent I had not. My son Gavin should really be posting this, as this was his build and his experience. Gavin traded his 2.2 Ultra 4 named "Take 2" to a local club member for a new Yeti XL kit and new laptop. Gavin assembled the entire kit himself. I helped with the electronics only. This was the first complete kit for him to assemble alone and it taught him a lot. That was back in 2015.

At crawlapalooza #9 we met up with Harley who loaned us the incomplete Yeti XL that Axial had sent him for the group build video that is on his YouTube channel. He loaned us the car to be completed. More on that car later.

Here are a few pics of Gavin's XL;







..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[BarHarborBasher]

Hey send me your HD pinions I'll blast them out for free and I've got a couple of goodies for ya !! Assuming that you're running a Vanquish.. Its a must...

Originally Posted by Nova's Ark

I thought I has already posted a build thread, but after searching for it, it was apparent I had not. My son Gavin should really be posting this, as this was his build and his experience. Gavin traded his 2.2 Ultra 4 named "Take 2" to a local club member for a new Yeti XL kit and new laptop. Gavin assembled the entire kit himself. I helped with the electronics only. This was the first complete kit for him to assemble alone and it taught him a lot. That was back in 2015.

At crawlapalooza #9 we met up with Harley who loaned us the incomplete Yeti XL that Axial had sent him for the group build video that is on his YouTube channel. He loaned us the car to be completed. More on that car later.

Here are a few pics of Gavin's XL;







..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Nova's Ark]

Here is a list of the upgrades that Gavin ran on his XL:
RPM Front control arms

HR aluminum front C's

HR aluminum front steering knuckles

DHawk aluminum front diff housing, this part is a redesigned front housing that is much improved over stock design.

Vanquish Products aluminum rear axle housing

HR aluminum rear straight axle adapters

HR aluminum rear upper and rear lower chassis link mounts

HR aluminum functioning piggy back shock set that has been tuned front and rear

Axial aluminum Icon shock bodies

HR adjustable spring set

HR aluminum rear sway bar assembly

HR aluminum steering assembly

Axial aluminum front shock body mount

Detailed gas tank

Enlarged steering servo opening in the chassis; it will fit either a standard 1:10 servo or a 1:10 MT oversized servo like a 7980 from hitec

Axial R35 Falken tires that have been siped for increased traction

Crawler Innovations Deuces Wild Foam Set CWR-3009

Open diffs front and rear
































..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by BarHarborBasher

Hey send me your HD pinions I'll blast them out for free and I've got a couple of goodies for ya !! Assuming that you're running a Vanquish.. Its a must...

Thank you for the offer, but this car has not been run in some time. After I mailed the loaner back to Harley @ VP, this cars electronics were removed for another project. The XL's never caught on enough in our area to develop a class for them.


..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[SvdV]

Impressive setup. Lots of upgrades I'm hoping to put on my YXL eventually. What motor/esc are you running? And is there a reason to not go for an aluminium spur gear adapter?

[Nova's Ark]

Here is a picture of the "loaner XL" that CI received from Harley at Crawlapalooza #9. I installed the electronics; a Tekin Gen2 RX8 and 2100kv motor with a Futaba Servo. This XL is back in his possession:



..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Deckard]

I want a big ass CI graphic on my hood. That looks awesome. Better than the YXL advertising itself.

I saw the rig in the FS forum. If it was closer to Christmas, I would consider this for my son. Looks well built with good mods. Love the VP axle. I wish I had purchased one as they are getting hard to find.

[BarHarborBasher]

Originally Posted by Deckard

I want a big ass CI graphic on my hood. That looks awesome. Better than the YXL advertising itself.

I saw the rig in the FS forum. If it was closer to Christmas, I would consider this for my son. Looks well built with good mods. Love the VP axle. I wish I had purchased one as they are getting hard to find.

You can contact Vanquish and perchance one outright if you let them know that you are aware of the HD flawed design..
I've got the number if you need it..

[84yoda]

Originally Posted by BarHarborBasher

You can contact Vanquish and perchance one outright if you let them know that you are aware of the HD flawed design..
I've got the number if you need it..

Until someone gets one from vp, this isn't true.

[Deckard]

Ran my CI foams for the first time yesterday on the YXL.... talk about money well spent. It's amazing how much better it drives with them. I feel stupid for not getting them sooner.

The reason I didn't buy a VP when you could get them was that I haven't had an issue with the stock housings. I also have a hard time spending money on fancy pants housings. After the first run they're beat to hell.

If it was a part I was constantly replacing and the stock housing was expensive, I wouldn't have a problem spending the money. Well, that's assuming I could find one.

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by SvdV

Impressive setup. Lots of upgrades I'm hoping to put on my YXL eventually. What motor/esc are you running? And is there a reason to not go for an aluminium spur gear adapter?

CI really wanted the yeti XL to work properly, so we invested the money in upgrades to see how far we could take the platform. One problem for us was that we run 3S and 4S lipo. Nothing 2S except transmitter batteries. So the two XL's were always ran on 6S, twin 3S packs. The ESC and motor in the Gavin's XL were Castle Creation MMM with CC BEC and Tekin 4038 size 1700KV motor. The XL was geared low. The kit spur never gave us a problem. The major lows were the front diff housing and steering assembly.

Originally Posted by Deckard

I want a big ass CI graphic on my hood. That looks awesome. Better than the YXL advertising itself.



I saw the rig in the FS forum. If it was closer to Christmas, I would consider this for my son. Looks well built with good mods. Love the VP axle. I wish I had purchased one as they are getting hard to find.

I do not have any stickers currently, but CI is hoping to have several new offerings by the end of the summer.

Vanquish Products does have some stock of these axle housings. As long as you understand the housings were made to the first YXL design and will need mods for upgrades, they will sell it to you. Call the VP warehouse.

Originally Posted by Deckard

Ran my CI foams for the first time yesterday on the YXL.... talk about money well spent. It's amazing how much better it drives with them. I feel stupid for not getting them sooner.

The reason I didn't buy a VP when you could get them was that I haven't had an issue with the stock housings. I also have a hard time spending money on fancy pants housings. After the first run they're beat to hell.

If it was a part I was constantly replacing and the stock housing was expensive, I wouldn't have a problem spending the money. Well, that's assuming I could find one.

I tell people all the time that foams are the cheapest upgrade that will yield the most noticeable improvement. Until a person experiences that for themself... Thank you for buying the foams and trying them out. I'm glad they did their job and brought a smile to your face when you drive your YXL.



..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...